Bishop Correspondence
10/27/10
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Bishop Stoneworks 84 Mill Hill Rd. Colchester, CT 06415 860 573 0014 rodbishop@comcast.net (Roderick R. Bishop - 18th Century reproduction/restoration masonry. Also do timber framing. "Rumfords are the only type of fireplace I'll build.")
Other Bishop Stoneworks Rumfords: |
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Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2009 Hi Jim, In regards to your questions, The "small" brick "Rumford", (perhaps I should say "psuedo" Rumford), has a very slight tip forward after a few courses of brick laid straight. As you can see by the smoke trail, it works, so I can't argue with that. The "stone" fireplace was made with a straight back because the owners didn't want a brick back. I they had let me use brick, I would have tipped it forward just a bit. I could have tipped the granite forward but I just don't think it would have looked as good. So................ I use exclusively Morin Red Restoration Brick for all my brick fireboxes. They are made in Lewiston, Maine and have held up wonderfully with no complaints. They are a solid brick so I can cut the firebox angles without a "frog" showing. I absolutely abhor fireboxes that are made without angled cheeks, unless it is a reconstruction of a very early firebox that had square cheeks, as in, original. On the cover of this months "This Old House", has a picture of a firebox that starts with square cheeks. (I don't usually use words like "abhor", but in this case it fits). I don't use Superior Clay Rumford throats although I am sure they are quite capable. I use tip & slide dampers, and build my own throats with brick. I use galvanized diamond lathe and ChamberTech 2000 to "streamline" the throat. Never had a problem. I've lain on the floor and watched many a fire in fireboxes I've built. I've read Ortons' book on Rumford fireplaces, the stuff I build is based on that although, as in any manufacturing process, the design process is in constant developement. Personally, I like the way a slant back firebox looks. There just something about it. I don't care if I might be losing x amout of btu's, (maybe I'm not?), if I like it, if the customer likes it, and it works, it's a win/win. There was a party at the house in Darien this past Friday. Here's another picture for you.
Thanks for the interest. ----- Original Message ----- Rod, That certainly is a nice article, as well as a great honor to get on the cover. Congratulations! I'll bet your phone is ringing off the hook.
Now that you're famous, tell me a little more about your Rumfords: The one on the cover has a sloped back and I wonder if it's an Orton style Rumford (see
You do very nice work and I appreciate your sending me all these pictures and letting me know about the House Beautiful article.
Best,
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Hi Jim,
Thought you might like to know that the "unfinished Rumford" on my web page has made it on to the cover of "House Beautiful", December issue.
Rod Bishop
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